National University MSW

National University began its journey as a veteran-founded nonprofit institution in San Diego back in 1971. The university’s mission was simple: to make higher education available and achievable for adult learners. This university takes a different approach from traditional schools. Most of its students are already working professionals who want to advance their careers while managing work and family life.

The Master of Social Work program at National University ranks among the top social work programs thanks to its hands-on educational approach. You’ll find a detailed program that opens doors to careers in social service settings of all types. The curriculum lines up with competencies from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program’s results speak volumes – graduates have a 94% employment rate within their first year after graduation.

The numbers tell an impressive story about National University MSW graduates’ earnings. New graduates earn a median of $66,420 in their first year – that’s almost double the national average of $36,427. These earnings grow even more over time. Five years after graduation, salaries reach $73,353 compared to the national average of $45,519.

The National University MSW program stands out with these unique features:

• Weekly course starts so you can begin right away without waiting
• 100% doctoral faculty who mentor you with their expertise
• Individual-based engagement with no group work required
• Flexible scheduling that works around your life and job

The online MSW program gives you the best of both worlds. You complete your coursework online but get real-life experience through field practicum at local agencies where you work directly with individuals, groups, and communities.

The university welcomes students from all walks of life. Working adults, military personnel, veterans, and parents make up most of the student body. Students come from across the United States and around the world, creating an alumni network that now includes over 245,000 graduates.

Students get plenty of support along the way. The university offers free tutoring, round-the-clock help, special resources for military members and veterans, and a mentoring network that guides both students and alumni in their careers. About 80% of students say career services helped them land jobs or internships.

National University paves your path to success in social work through its dedication to quality, flexibility, and ground-level preparation.

Programs offered

National University’s Master of Social Work program offers two educational paths based on your background and career goals. You can choose a path that fits your needs to prepare for a career in social service settings of all types.

The Generalist Track welcomes students who are new to social work and don’t have an undergraduate degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. Students learn about modern social work practices, ethics, and key communication skills through online classes and hands-on practicum experience. This track needs 60 credit hours spread across 30 courses and takes about 36 months to finish. Students must complete 900 hours of qualified practicum experience in a generalist setting, with 400 hours during foundation coursework.

The Advanced Standing Track serves students who already have a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program. Your degree should be from the last seven years with a 3.0 GPA in social work courses. This faster option requires 36 credit hours across 12 courses and takes about 18 months. Students need to complete 500 hours of qualified practicum experience.

Both paths conclude with an Advanced Generalist specialization—a unique feature of National University’s MSW program. This specialization connects micro and macro approaches to social work practice. You’ll learn clinical intervention skills along with community development and policy expertise. The Advanced Generalist curriculum helps you become skilled at working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in a variety of settings.

You’ll develop nine core competencies in either track:

• Demonstrating ethical and professional behavior
• Engaging diversity and difference in practice
• Advancing human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
• Engaging in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
• Engaging in policy practice
• Engaging, assessing, intervening, and evaluating work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

Practicum experience gives you hands-on training while you learn adaptable, resilient strategies in ground settings. You’ll work directly with clients at an agency or facility in your area under professional supervision. This experience lets you apply classroom theory to actual practice situations.

The program also offers transfer credits—up to six credit hours for Advanced Standing and 12 credits for Generalist track students who meet specific requirements. The program’s structure within the Department of Marriage and Family Sciences, part of the JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences, will give a detailed, interdisciplinary approach to your education.

About the online program

National University’s online MSW program gives you exceptional flexibility through its distance-based education model. You can pursue your social work degree without relocating or spending time and money on yearly meetings.

The program combines a complete online learning environment with hands-on practicum experience. Your coursework and training happen online, while the practicum lets you interact with clients at a local agency under qualified professional supervision. This approach helps you develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Your educational trip at National University reflects their dedication to available learning. Weekly course starts let you begin your studies any Monday throughout the year instead of waiting for traditional semester schedules. The program offers flexible completion times—most students finish in about 24 months, though the median completion time extends to 48 months. You have up to six years to complete your master’s degree based on your situation.

National University’s online learning experience puts your needs first. You’ll get:

• No scheduled lecture hours or mandatory meeting times
• No group assignments that complicate scheduling
• Weekly assignments that provide structure without sacrificing flexibility
• Freedom to arrange coursework around professional and personal commitments

Rather than attending traditional classes, you’ll participate through interactive online tools like threaded discussions, video lectures, digital presentations, and collaborative virtual spaces. Faculty interaction remains central to your experience despite the distance format. All faculty members hold doctoral degrees, so you receive guidance from highly qualified professionals throughout your studies.

The program needs simple technical resources—a reliable computer, current web browser, and stable internet connection. Your specific courses may require specialized software. Technical support helps you handle any challenges.

This online structure lets you keep your current professional and personal responsibilities while advancing your education. The four-week course format creates a manageable pace. You can focus on one subject before moving to the next. This approach helps you build specialized knowledge and skills without disrupting your life.

Accreditation

The CSWE accreditation is a quality seal for academic institutions and their programs. National University’s MSW program earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in October 2021. This recognition came after WASC gave its approval in October 2018.

A CSWE accreditation shows that a social work program delivers high-quality education through a detailed peer-review process. Programs must have enough resources to achieve their goals and follow the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Students at National University get the same high-quality education regardless of how they study. The accreditation covers all program sites and delivery methods. You’ll receive the same standards whether you study online or through other approved formats.

CSWE accreditation brings benefits beyond just educational quality. Your degree from an accredited program tells employers about the program’s quality and your competence as a graduate. This matters because social work practice needs licenses throughout North America. Most places require graduation from a CSWE-accredited program to get licensed.

New MSW graduates typically get their license through the Masters examination. Clinical social work licenses need two to three years of supervised post-MSW clinical work. You’ll also need to pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Advanced Clinical Exam. Without accreditation, you might face major roadblocks in your professional career.

The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) also accredits National University. This institutional accreditation reviews all university functions and adds another layer of quality assurance.

National University has secured state-level approvals for students seeking licenses outside California. Since it’s a California-based online university, other states see it as an out-of-state program. Students in Washington State should check with their Department of Health/Health Professions Quality Assurance division about social work licensure qualifications.

Future students should check if the program meets their state’s certification or license requirements before enrolling. Requirements differ between states.

Admission Requirements

The National University MSW program has a detailed admission process that sets you up for success in this challenging field. The program team reviews your academic background, work experience, drive, and educational goals.

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or an equivalent international school evaluated by an approved service. The program requires an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, though a 2.75 GPA in your final 90 quarter units also works. Students with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.49 can still qualify through good standardized test scores or by starting on probation.

Advanced Standing track has specific requirements. Your Bachelor of Social Work must come from a CSWE-accredited program within the last seven years, with a minimum 3.0 GPA in social work courses. The program won’t accept applications from graduates whose programs are still seeking CSWE accreditation.

The program’s transfer credit policy allows:

• Up to 6 credit hours for Advanced Standing track (from CSWE-accredited MSW programs with ‘B’ grades or higher)
• Up to 12 credits for Generalist track (from regionally accredited schools with ‘B’/3.0 grades or higher)

Your transferred courses must be less than five years old when you complete the program, based on your study plan.

The admission journey starts when you submit both university and MSW application packets. MSW faculty will then interview you. They’ll assess your program readiness based on your interview responses and application essays.

Every student must pass a background check before starting field practicum. Students with felony convictions, either before or after admission, should notify the MSW Program Director right away. This could affect practicum placement and future licensing options.

Faculty makes admission decisions about 7 days after your interview. Once accepted, academic and finance counselors will help create a program schedule that fits your life and work commitments.

Tuition

Getting your MSW education needs smart financial planning. National University gives you a budget-friendly option with tuition at $13,284 – a big deal as it means that the national average cost of $46,950. You’ll get the same high-quality education at a fraction of the cost.

The graduate tuition at National University runs $442 per quarter unit. This works out to $1,989 for a typical 4.5 quarter unit course. Your total program cost might change based on your chosen track and any transfer credits you bring.

The full cost of attendance includes both direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are:

• Tuition and fees
• Books and course materials
• Equipment requirements

Indirect costs include your housing, food, transportation, personal expenses, and loan fees if any. The university’s Course Materials Fee (CMF) packages all your digital textbooks, learning tools, and course resources. This means you won’t have to hunt for materials or pay extra – everything’s ready on day one.

You’ll need to pay for your courses before classes start. Students not using financial aid must pay the full amount by the first day. If you’re using financial aid, the Department of Education will send funds for your courses, and you’ll get a bill for any remaining costs.

National University helps cut down educational costs in several ways. Students can apply for scholarships and financial aid. The university also teams up with employers to offer tuition discounts.

The university takes special care of military personnel. This stems from its founding mission to serve service members and veterans. Today, this shows through military-friendly policies and tuition benefits.

Looking at value for money, National University’s track record speaks volumes – 93% of graduates land jobs in their field. This points to a solid return on your investment in education.

Additional Information

Prospective MSW students should think over several practical aspects of their educational experience. Students have six years to complete master’s degrees of 36 credits or more, with a median completion time of 48 months. Students who follow the preferred schedule can finish in as little as 24 months.

National University maintains a complete database of potential placement sites and supervisors who have worked with students. Students get access to tip sheets, videos, and a detailed Field Practicum Manual that guides the placement process.

Students must purchase liability insurance before starting their practicum. The National Association of Social Workers offers this insurance at reduced student rates. This protection covers students during their hands-on training.

These additional resources support student success:

• Doctoral consultations offer one-on-one research assistance
• Academic Success Center helps with writing and quantitative skills
• Applied Doctoral Center provides tools and support
• Institutional Review Board offers preparation assistance

The application process helps students understand social work and licensure requirements in their state. Students can apply year-round without waiting for cohort filling. Admissions decisions come within seven days after completing application materials and faculty interviews.

Note that program completion does not guarantee automatic licensure in any jurisdiction. Students should research their state’s specific requirements carefully.